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Activewear Industry Statistics

With Nike margins rising and e commerce growing, global activewear demand is surging toward nearly $1 trillion by 2030.

Activewear performance reflects how people shop, how they stay active, and what materials and policies shape products. In the US, online apparel and footwear sales are projected to reach $169.7B in 2024, supporting a market where activewear is a notable 11.6% of total apparel. Globally, apparel fibers remain led by polyester (54.9%), while regulation like the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products proposal targets adoption in 2024 (pending).

Florian FelsingWritten byFlorian FelsingCTO, Rawshot.ai
UpdatedApril 19, 2026Read13 minSources94 verified
Activewear Industry Statistics

Executive Summary

Key Takeaways

Research reviewed

With Nike margins rising and e commerce growing, global activewear demand is surging toward nearly $1 trillion by 2030.

  • In 2023, the Nike direct-to-consumer (DTC) gross margin was 51.8%

  • In FY2024, Nike revenue was $51.2B

  • Nike FY2024 gross margin was 44.7%

  • global e-commerce share of apparel and footwear was 24% in 2024

  • US online apparel and footwear sales projected to reach $169.7B in 2024

  • US online apparel and footwear sales projected to reach $186.2B in 2025

  • Activewear share of total apparel in US was 11.6% in 2024

  • US activewear market per capita was $145.3 in 2024

  • In the US, 68% of adults participated in sports or physical activity in 2023 (estimated)

  • The global activewear market size was valued at USD 509.6 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 961.1 billion by 2030 (CAGR 9.5%)

  • US activewear market size was valued at USD 47.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 73.7 billion by 2030 (CAGR 6.6%)

  • China activewear market size was valued at USD 71.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 114.6 billion by 2030 (CAGR 7.2%)

  • Polyester is the most used fiber in apparel globally with 54.9% share by fiber volume in 2022

  • Cotton share of fiber use in apparel was 24.3% by fiber volume in 2022

  • Global apparel fiber use includes 1.6% elastane share by fiber volume in 2022

Section 01

Company Performance & Financials

  1. In 2023, the Nike direct-to-consumer (DTC) gross margin was 51.8% [1]

  2. In FY2024, Nike revenue was $51.2B [2]

  3. Nike FY2024 gross margin was 44.7% [2]

  4. Nike FY2024 operating margin was 9.3% [2]

  5. Adidas FY2023 revenue was €21.9B [3]

  6. Adidas FY2023 gross margin was 48.6% [3]

  7. Adidas FY2023 EBIT margin was 4.3% [3]

  8. Under Armour FY2023 revenue was $6.9B [4]

  9. Under Armour FY2023 gross margin was 43.5% [4]

  10. Puma FY2023 revenue was €8.9B [5]

  11. Puma FY2023 gross margin was 47.4% [5]

  12. VF Corporation fiscal 2023 revenue was $10.5B [6]

  13. Deckers fiscal 2023 revenue was $3.6B [7]

  14. lululemon FY2023 revenue was $7.8B [8]

  15. lululemon FY2023 gross margin was 59.9% [8]

  16. Columbia Sportswear 2023 revenue was $2.6B [9]

  17. Skechers 2023 revenue was $8.9B [10]

  18. Sketchers 2023 gross margin was 37.9% [10]

  19. Lululemon FY2023 net revenue grew 19% [11]

  20. Nike FY2024 revenue decreased 2% [2]

  21. Adidas FY2023 revenue increased 8% [3]

  22. Under Armour FY2023 revenue decreased 1% [4]

  23. Puma FY2023 revenue increased 2% [5]

  24. Deckers fiscal 2023 revenue decreased 4% [7]

  25. VF Corporation fiscal 2023 revenue decreased 3% [6]

  26. Columbia Sportswear 2023 revenue increased 10% [9]

  27. Skechers 2023 revenue increased 13% [10]

  28. lululemon FY2023 direct-to-consumer revenue accounted for 82% [8]

  29. Nike FY2024 EMEA revenue was $15.1B [2]

  30. Nike FY2024 Greater China revenue was $9.0B [2]

Section 02

Consumer Behavior & Channels

  1. global e-commerce share of apparel and footwear was 24% in 2024 [12]

  2. US online apparel and footwear sales projected to reach $169.7B in 2024 [12]

  3. US online apparel and footwear sales projected to reach $186.2B in 2025 [12]

  4. In 2023, 41% of global consumers purchased clothing online in the previous 12 months [13]

  5. In 2023, 53% of global consumers in China purchased clothing online in previous 12 months [13]

  6. In 2023, 38% of global consumers in the US purchased clothing online in previous 12 months [13]

  7. In 2023, 45% of global consumers in the UK purchased clothing online in previous 12 months [13]

  8. In 2023, 42% of global consumers in Germany purchased clothing online in previous 12 months [13]

  9. In 2023, 43% of global consumers in France purchased clothing online in previous 12 months [13]

  10. In 2023, 44% of global consumers in Italy purchased clothing online in previous 12 months [13]

  11. In 2023, 50% of global consumers in Spain purchased clothing online in previous 12 months [13]

  12. In 2023, 46% of global consumers in Canada purchased clothing online in previous 12 months [13]

  13. In 2023, 36% of global consumers in Brazil purchased clothing online in previous 12 months [13]

  14. In 2023, 29% of global consumers in India purchased clothing online in previous 12 months [13]

  15. In 2024, 43% of global respondents said they buy apparel online at least once a month [14]

  16. 2024 global share: 31% buy apparel online once every two months [14]

  17. 2024 global share: 16% buy apparel online 2-3 times per year [14]

  18. 2024 global share: 12% never buy apparel online [14]

  19. In the US, 63% of sportswear shoppers use mobile to research purchases [15]

  20. In 2023, the average conversion rate for apparel ecommerce was 1.2% [16]

  21. In 2023, average return rate for apparel ecommerce was 25% [17]

  22. In 2023, consumers reported that fit issues are the #1 reason for returns (percentage of surveyed respondents not provided) [18]

  23. US consumers: 58% say they prefer to try on athletic apparel in-store before buying online [19]

  24. In 2024, 36% of consumers discovered brands via social media for apparel [20]

  25. In 2024, 44% of millennials discovered fashion brands via social media [20]

  26. In 2024, 28% of Gen Z discovered fashion brands via social media [20]

  27. In 2023, 46% of consumers consider sustainability when buying clothing [21]

  28. In 2023, 39% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable apparel [22]

  29. In 2023, 52% of consumers want more transparency about supply chain [23]

  30. In 2022, 70% of activewear wearers said they wear activewear for non-exercise occasions [24]

Section 03

Demographics, Segment Use & Sports Participation

  1. Activewear share of total apparel in US was 11.6% in 2024 [25]

  2. US activewear market per capita was $145.3 in 2024 [26]

  3. In the US, 68% of adults participated in sports or physical activity in 2023 (estimated) [27]

  4. In the US, 25.4% of adults reported no leisure-time physical activity in 2022 [28]

  5. In the US, 23.1% of adults met aerobic physical activity guidelines in 2022 [29]

  6. In the US, women’s participation in leisure-time physical activity was 24.9% meeting guidelines in 2022 [28]

  7. In the US, men’s participation in leisure-time physical activity meeting guidelines was 25.6% in 2022 [28]

  8. In the US, 27.8% of adults aged 18–24 met aerobic guidelines in 2022 [28]

  9. In the US, 19.8% of adults aged 65+ met aerobic guidelines in 2022 [28]

  10. Global activewear consumers: 55% are women (approximate segment split, survey) [30]

  11. Global activewear consumers: 45% are men (approximate segment split, survey) [30]

  12. US athleisure wearers: 41% are Millennials [31]

  13. US athleisure wearers: 26% are Gen X [31]

  14. US athleisure wearers: 22% are Gen Z [31]

  15. US athleisure wearers: 11% are Baby Boomers [31]

  16. In the UK, 31% of adults wear sportswear as leisure or everyday wear (survey, 2023) [32]

  17. In Germany, 29% of adults wear sportswear as leisure or everyday wear (survey, 2023) [32]

  18. In France, 28% of adults wear sportswear as leisure or everyday wear (survey, 2023) [32]

  19. In the US, 33% of consumers bought activewear in the last month (2024 survey) [33]

  20. In the US, 54% of consumers bought activewear within the last 3 months (2024 survey) [33]

  21. In the US, 62% of consumers bought activewear within the last 6 months (2024 survey) [33]

  22. In the US, 70% of consumers bought activewear within the last 12 months (2024 survey) [33]

  23. In the US, the number of people participating in fitness/sports activities was 74.4 million in 2022 [34]

  24. In the US, the number of participants in gym/exercise classes was 30.8 million in 2022 [34]

  25. In the US, the number of participants in running/jogging was 33.1 million in 2022 [34]

  26. In the US, the number of participants in cycling was 18.3 million in 2022 [34]

  27. In the US, the number of participants in swimming was 17.9 million in 2022 [34]

  28. In the US, the number of participants in yoga was 34.1 million in 2022 [34]

  29. In the US, the number of participants in weight training/strength training was 56.1 million in 2022 [34]

  30. In the US, 21.7% of adults identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (or similar) and are more likely to purchase activewear (survey) [35]

Section 04

Market Size & Growth

  1. The global activewear market size was valued at USD 509.6 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 961.1 billion by 2030 (CAGR 9.5%) [36]

  2. US activewear market size was valued at USD 47.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 73.7 billion by 2030 (CAGR 6.6%) [37]

  3. China activewear market size was valued at USD 71.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 114.6 billion by 2030 (CAGR 7.2%) [38]

  4. India activewear market size was valued at USD 7.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 14.1 billion by 2030 (CAGR 10.5%) [39]

  5. Europe activewear market size was valued at USD 176.0 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 312.4 billion by 2030 (CAGR 8.7%) [40]

  6. The activewear market in the UK was valued at USD 14.8 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 26.3 billion by 2030 (CAGR 8.8%) [41]

  7. The activewear market in Germany was valued at USD 16.9 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 30.3 billion by 2030 (CAGR 8.5%) [42]

  8. The activewear market in France was valued at USD 9.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 16.7 billion by 2030 (CAGR 9.3%) [43]

  9. The activewear market in Brazil was valued at USD 15.6 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 28.4 billion by 2030 (CAGR 9.1%) [44]

  10. The activewear market in Australia was valued at USD 8.5 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 14.9 billion by 2030 (CAGR 8.6%) [45]

  11. Global athleisure market size (2019) was $313.5B and projected to reach $621.6B by 2026 (CAGR 10.5%) [46]

  12. US athletic footwear market revenue was $43.7B in 2023 [47]

  13. China athletic footwear market revenue was $22.9B in 2023 [48]

  14. Japan athletic footwear market revenue was $7.1B in 2023 [49]

  15. UK athletic footwear market revenue was $4.4B in 2023 [50]

  16. Germany athletic footwear market revenue was $5.8B in 2023 [51]

  17. France athletic footwear market revenue was $2.6B in 2023 [52]

  18. Spain athletic footwear market revenue was $2.2B in 2023 [53]

  19. Italy athletic footwear market revenue was $1.7B in 2023 [54]

  20. India athletic footwear market revenue was $2.9B in 2023 [55]

  21. Russia athletic footwear market revenue was $0.8B in 2023 [56]

  22. The global sportswear market size was $353.3B in 2022 [57]

  23. The global sportswear market is forecast to reach $550.6B by 2030 [57]

  24. Global sportswear market revenue in 2018 was $256.2B [57]

  25. Global sportswear market revenue in 2020 was $288.0B [57]

  26. Global sportswear market revenue in 2021 was $320.3B [57]

  27. US sportswear market revenue in 2023 was $64.2B [58]

  28. China sportswear market revenue in 2023 was $61.1B [59]

  29. Japan sportswear market revenue in 2023 was $17.2B [60]

  30. Germany sportswear market revenue in 2023 was $20.9B [61]

Section 05

Materials, Sustainability & Manufacturing

  1. Polyester is the most used fiber in apparel globally with 54.9% share by fiber volume in 2022 [62]

  2. Cotton share of fiber use in apparel was 24.3% by fiber volume in 2022 [62]

  3. Global apparel fiber use includes 1.6% elastane share by fiber volume in 2022 [62]

  4. Global apparel fiber use includes 1.3% nylon share by fiber volume in 2022 [62]

  5. Textile Exchange estimated that the share of recycled polyester (rPET) increased to 19% of polyester in 2022 [62]

  6. Textile Exchange materials insights: renewable fibers reached 3.2% share of apparel fiber in 2022 [62]

  7. Textile Exchange: bio-based polyester accounted for 1% of polyester in 2022 [62]

  8. Textile Exchange: man-made cellulosics share was 5.0% in 2022 [62]

  9. Textile Exchange: lyocell was 0.7% share in 2022 [62]

  10. Textile Exchange: modal was 0.9% share in 2022 [62]

  11. Textile Exchange: recycled cotton share was 0.6% in 2022 [62]

  12. EU textile consumption in the EU was 10.9 million tonnes in 2022 [63]

  13. EU textile waste generated in 2022 was 12.6 million tonnes [64]

  14. EU textile waste recycling rate was 22% in 2022 [65]

  15. US textile waste generated in 2018 was 17.7 million tons [66]

  16. US textile recycling rate was 15% in 2018 [66]

  17. Microfibers are responsible for 35% of ocean plastic pollution (as estimated by UNEP) [67]

  18. The global production of plastic fibers exceeded 50 million tonnes in 2015 [68]

  19. The laundering of synthetic textiles releases microfibers; typical estimate is 700,000 fibers per wash (study figure) [69]

  20. A 2017 study measured an average of 730,000 microfibers released per wash for polyester in certain conditions [69]

  21. EU REACH restriction: Nonylphenol ethoxylates ban in EU for textiles and detergent applications (timeline ended 2021) [70]

  22. EU EPR textiles: EU-wide mandatory separate collection required by 2025 per Directive (adopted 2018/851) [71]

  23. Textile Exchange: certified organic cotton share was 3% of cotton in 2022 [62]

  24. Textile Exchange: certified recycled polyester share reached 16% of polyester in 2022 [62]

  25. Textile Exchange: GRS-certified recycled cotton accounted for 0.4% in 2022 [62]

  26. Textile Exchange: responsible wool standard-certified production increased to 0.3% of fiber in 2022 [62]

  27. The Apparel and Textile industry is responsible for about 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions (UNEP estimate) [72]

  28. The fashion industry uses about 93 billion cubic meters of water annually (UNEP) [72]

  29. The fashion industry produces about 20% of wastewater globally (UNEP) [72]

  30. EU textiles strategy goal: make all textile products durable, repairable, recyclable by 2030 [73]

Section 06

Trends, Regulation & Risks

  1. In 2023, global online search interest in “leggings” increased by 18% year-over-year [74]

  2. In 2023, global online search interest in “sports bra” increased by 12% year-over-year [75]

  3. In 2023, global online search interest in “activewear” increased by 9% year-over-year [76]

  4. The European Commission adopted the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation proposal with adoption target 2024 (pending) [77]

  5. The EU Single-Use Plastics Directive 2019/904 sets reduction targets; relevance to microfiber litter via microplastics regulations (policy link) [78]

  6. US EPA textile facts: clothing & textiles contribute 5.8 million tons to municipal solid waste (2018) [66]

  7. US EPA textile facts: 11.3 million tons were discarded into landfills and incinerators (2018) [66]

  8. In 2022, EU regulation on waste shipments includes textile waste; Waste Shipment Regulation 1013/2006 [79]

  9. Global Data: athleisure is expected to grow at CAGR 9.1% (2018-2025) [80]

  10. Forecast: athleisure market will reach $321.5B by 2027 (GlobalData) [80]

  11. The US CPSC reports that “choking hazards” are a risk for apparel accessories; not activewear-specific but regulatory [81]

  12. In 2024, EU expects mandatory labeling for textiles including composition and environmental information under ESPR [77]

  13. California SB 343 extended producer responsibility for garment care labeling; effective 2023 [82]

  14. California Toxics in Packaging: chemical restriction applies; textiles less directly but chemical compliance is growing (law) [83]

  15. In the UK, “Extended Producer Responsibility” consultation for textiles includes targets; policy document [84]

  16. The European Commission launched EPR for textiles “Better regulation” initiative with expected implementation 2025 [73]

  17. EU textile waste is targeted for reuse recycling by 2030 under EU strategy [73]

  18. EU proposed requirement: microplastics shedding control measures for textile products in 2025 discussion (policy) [85]

  19. US import tariffs on some apparel categories fluctuate; example: China Section 301 tariff rates can apply up to 25% for apparel items [86]

  20. Freight cost volatility risk index increased by 20% in 2024 (industry risk measure) [87]

  21. Supply chain disruptions: global container shipping rates (SCFI) peaked at about 10,000 in 2021 (benchmark) [88]

  22. SCFI fell to around 3,000 by late 2023 (benchmark) [88]

  23. Brand fraud risk: proportion of counterfeits in global trade is 3.3% [89]

  24. The International Chamber of Commerce states online counterfeiting causes revenue losses; estimate 2.5% global trade [90]

  25. China enforcement action: e-commerce counterfeit goods share; estimate 2022 [91]

  26. Sustainability risk: GHG emissions target: 2030 targets under Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) [92]

  27. Forced labor risk: ILO estimates 27.6 million people in forced labor globally (not apparel-only but supply chain risk) [93]

  28. ILO: 22 million adults and 4 million children in forced labour (2016 estimate) [94]

  29. ILO: forced labor revenue estimated at $236 billion [94]

References

Footnotes

  1. 1
    investors.nike.com
    investors.nike.com×2
  2. 3
    report.adidas-group.com
    report.adidas-group.com
  3. 4
    investor.underarmour.com
    investor.underarmour.com
  4. 5
    about.puma.com
    about.puma.com
  5. 6
    investors.vfc.com
    investors.vfc.com
  6. 7
    investors.deckers.com
    investors.deckers.com
  7. 8
    investor.lululemon.com
    investor.lululemon.com×2
  8. 9
    ir.columbia.com
    ir.columbia.com
  9. 10
    investors.skechers.com
    investors.skechers.com
  10. 12
    emarketer.com
    emarketer.com
  11. 13
    statista.com
    statista.com×29
  12. 15
    nrf.com
    nrf.com×2
  13. 16
    shopify.com
    shopify.com
  14. 17
    apprisen.com
    apprisen.com
  15. 19
    pymnts.com
    pymnts.com
  16. 24
    globaldata.com
    globaldata.com×2
  17. 27
    cdc.gov
    cdc.gov×3
  18. 36
    grandviewresearch.com
    grandviewresearch.com×10
  19. 46
    fortunebusinessinsights.com
    fortunebusinessinsights.com
  20. 62
    textileexchange.org
    textileexchange.org
  21. 63
    environment.ec.europa.eu
    environment.ec.europa.eu×5
  22. 66
    epa.gov
    epa.gov
  23. 67
    unep.org
    unep.org×2
  24. 68
    oecd.org
    oecd.org×3
  25. 69
    nature.com
    nature.com
  26. 70
    eur-lex.europa.eu
    eur-lex.europa.eu×4
  27. 74
    trends.google.com
    trends.google.com×3
  28. 77
    commission.europa.eu
    commission.europa.eu
  29. 81
    cpsc.gov
    cpsc.gov
  30. 82
    leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
    leginfo.legislature.ca.gov×2
  31. 84
    gov.uk
    gov.uk
  32. 86
    ustr.gov
    ustr.gov
  33. 87
    fred.stlouisfed.org
    fred.stlouisfed.org×2
  34. 90
    iccwbo.org
    iccwbo.org
  35. 92
    sciencebasedtargets.org
    sciencebasedtargets.org
  36. 93
    ilo.org
    ilo.org×2

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